Universal head for fixing a nozzle to a fluid distribution duct

ABSTRACT

A universal head for fixing a nozzle to a fluid distribution duct comprises a cap-like sleeve adapted to be associated with the outlet of the duct, a nozzle insertion slot formed at the top of the sleeve, and wings for locking the nozzle that can expand radially and are formed proximate to the slot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a universal head for fixing anozzle to a fluid distribution duct.

[0002] In the agricultural field, spraying machines are known which areused to distribute fluid products for herbicidal, fungicidal,insecticidal treatments or the like.

[0003] Spraying machines are substantially constituted by a chassis thatsupports a tank for the fluid and a pumping assembly, which isassociated with the tank and feeds the fluid into one or more sprayerbars used for distribution; the spraying machines are fixed or towed bya tractor that travels along the crop to be treated.

[0004] The sprayer bars, which are horizontal for herbaceous crops orvertical or arc-like for arboreal crops, are constituted by a supportingframe that is associated with the chassis, and fluid conveyance tubesare fixed thereto which have means for adjusting, distributing,controlling and dispensing the fluid.

[0005] The dispensing means are constituted by nozzle holders with oneor more outlets, i.e., by connectors (ducts) for branching from theconveyance tubes which branch into one or more distribution ducts whichare selectively active, the outlet of each duct being rigidly coupled toa different fluid nebulization nozzle.

[0006] In order to couple the nozzles to the outlets of the distributionducts fixing heads are used, each of which is constituted by a cap atthe top of which a slot for inserting a nozzle is provided and insidewhich a seat for accommodating a sealing gasket is provided; the cap isscrewed or interlocked onto the outer lateral surface of the respectiveduct.

[0007] The various fluid products (herbicides, fungicides, insecticidesand the like) have different physical and chemical properties and mustbe distributed in mutually different doses and manners; accordingly,each treatment might require the use of a different nozzle type.

[0008] Accordingly, there is a wide range of models of nozzles whoseconstructive characteristics are considerably different from each otherin terms of structure, shape and dimensions and are adapted to nebulizethe fluids into jets of several shapes and ranges.

[0009] Every currently known fixing head is provided with a single slot,which is shaped and sized for the insertion of a specific nozzle model;alternatively, fixing heads are known at the slot of which notches areprovided that allow to insert at the most two different nozzle models.

[0010] Disadvantageously, therefore, every nozzle model requires the useof a different fixing head.

[0011] This causes a plurality of drawbacks, including the fact that themanufacture of multiple fixing head models requires the use of multipledifferent molds, the adoption of systems for differentiating andidentifying the various models (such as e.g. a different identificationcode), and the establishment and management of multiple inventoryreserves.

[0012] Another disadvantage consists in that end users (farmers) alsohave to create their own personal inventory by purchasing a wide rangeof fixing heads according to the different nozzles that they normallyuse in performing their activities.

[0013] This, accordingly, entails an onerous increase in the costsincurred by end users and a complication of the operations that theyhave to perform in order to prepare the spraying machines: they must infact pay particular attention to pairing the correct head model with thenozzle type used.

[0014] Finally, another disadvantage consists in that between the headinsertion slot and the respective nozzle there is always a significantplay that does not allow perfect immobilization of said nozzle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacksnoted above of conventional fixing heads by providing a universal headfor fixing a nozzle to a fluid distribution duct that allows to stablyfix a large number of nozzle models and to eliminate the play betweenthe insertion slot and said nozzle, allows to simplify the manufacturingprocess, to reduce reserves and facilitate inventory management formanufacturers and end users, and is immediately recognizable and easy touse on the part of said end users.

[0016] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to achievethe above aim with a structure that is simple, relatively easy toprovide in practice, safe in use, effective in operation, and relativelylow in cost.

[0017] This aim and this and other objects that will become betterapparent hereinafter are achieved by the present universal head forfixing a nozzle to a fluid distribution duct, comprising a cap-likesleeve that is adapted to be associated with the outlet of said duct anda nozzle insertion slot formed at the top of said sleeve, characterizedin that it comprises means for locking said nozzle that can expandradially and are formed proximate to said slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Further characteristics and advantages of the present inventionwill become better apparent from the detailed description of a preferredbut not exclusive embodiment of a universal head for fixing a nozzle toa fluid distribution duct, illustrated only by way of non-limitativeexample in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0019]FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an agricultural sprayingmachine provided with heads according to the invention;

[0020]FIG. 2 is an enlarged-scale schematic view of a detail of thespraying machine of FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a head according to theinvention in which a nozzle is inserted;

[0022]FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the head of FIG. 3without the nozzle;

[0023]FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the head ofFIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generallydesignates a universal head for fixing a nozzle to a fluid distributionduct, particularly of the type for herbicidal, fungicidal, insecticidaltreatments or the like, spread onto herbaceous or arboreal crops byspraying machines M.

[0025] The spraying machine M, of a conventional type, is substantiallyconstituted by a chassis T that supports a tank S for the fluid F thatis associated with a pumping assembly G that feeds two horizontal andmutually opposite sprayer bars B1 and B2, which are designed todistribute the fluid F on herbaceous crops.

[0026] The spraying machine M is fixed to the rear of a tractor R, whichtravels along the crop to be treated.

[0027] The bars B1 and B2 are constituted by a supporting frame P, whichis associated with the chassis T and to which tubes 2 for conveying thefluid F are fixed; said tubes are fed by the assembly G, and adjustmentand distribution valves, control means and dispensing means 3 for thefluid F are distributed along said tubes.

[0028] The dispensing means 3 are constituted by nozzle holders with oneor more outlets, five outlets in the illustrated case, each of which isconstituted by a body 4 for connection and branching from the tubes 2,to which it is coupled by means of a straddling coupling 5 that has anantidrip device 6.

[0029] A carousel 7 is rotatably associated with the body 4 and branchesinto five selectively active distribution ducts 8, specifically 8 a, 8b, 8 c, 8 d and 8 e; the rotation of the carousel 7 in fact connects tothe tube 2 only the lower duct 8 a, excluding the remaining ducts 8.

[0030] The outlet of each duct 8 is rigidly coupled to a respectivefluid atomization nozzle 9 by means of a respective fixing head 1 a, 1b, 1 c, 1 d and 1 e.

[0031] Depending on the treatment to be distributed, the model, shapeand dimensions of the nozzles 9 to be used may vary, but thesecharacteristics of the heads 1 do not. For the sake of simplicity, inFIG. 2 the heads 1 are shown rigidly coupled to the respective ducts 8but without the nozzles 9.

[0032] Each head 1 is constituted by a cap-like sleeve 10, which isassociated with the outlet of the duct 8, to which it is rigidly coupledby way of interlocking or threaded coupling means of a conventionaltype.

[0033] A slot 11 for inserting the nozzle 9 is formed at the top of thesleeve 10.

[0034] Proximate to the slot 11 locking means for locking the nozzle 9are provided which can expand radially and are constituted by twoelastic longitudinal and diametrically opposite wings 12, between whichthe nozzle 9 is inserted.

[0035] An annular base 13 is formed inside the sleeve 10 and at a lowerpart of the slot 11, and the lower ends of the wings 12 are rigidlycoupled thereto.

[0036] The upper ends of the wings 12 protrude freely outside the slot11 and are adapted to wrap around the nozzle 9 inserted therein and lockit.

[0037] Conveniently, between the inner edge of the slot 11 and the outersurface of the wings 12 there is a play or gap 14 whose extent allowsthe outward radial expansion of the wings 12 following the insertion ofthe nozzle 9.

[0038] Moreover, an annular surface 15 for the abutment of a retentioncollar 16, formed at the lower base of the nozzle 9, is provided underthe annular base 13 and inside the sleeve 10.

[0039] The reference numeral 17 designates two grip tabs, which areformed on the outer surface of the sleeve 10 and are adapted tofacilitate the assembly and disassembly of the head 1 with respect tothe duct 8, and the reference numeral 18 designates the seat for agasket for providing a seal to the fluid F.

[0040] The means for coupling the head 1 to the duct 8 are constitutedby a pair of locking pins, not shown, which are provided so as toprotrude and be diametrically opposite on the outer lateral surface ofthe duct 8 and can be inserted in corresponding slots 19 which areconnected to locking grooves 20 formed at the base of the sleeve 10; thereference numeral 21 designates a stop locator, which is adapted toprevent, by forming an obstacle, the uncoupling of the head 1 from theduct 8.

[0041] The operation of the invention is as follows.

[0042] The outlets of the ducts 8 are associated with respective nozzles9, optionally of different models, by using universal fixing heads 1,which are mutually identical and independent of the nozzle models used.

[0043] Each nozzle 9 is inserted between the wings 12 of the respectivehead 1 until the collar 16 abuts against the annular surface 15; theupper ends of the wings 12, being of the elastic type, expand radiallyoutward, adapting to the shape of the nozzle 9 and locking it.

[0044] It is noted that in this manner the nozzle 9 is fixed stablybetween the wings 12 and no play remains between the coupled parts.

[0045] After inserting a gasket in the seat 18, the head 1 is rigidlycoupled to a duct 8, whose outlet is thus connected to the nozzle 9.

[0046] The carousel 7 allows to connect to the tube 2 the duct 8 onwhich the nozzle 9 adapted to dispense the fluid F is mounted.

[0047] In practice it has been found that the described inventionachieves the intended aim and objects, i.e., it provides a universalhead for fixing a nozzle to a fluid distribution duct that allows tofix, in a simple and stable manner, any nozzle model among those knownin the field.

[0048] The head according to the invention therefore allows to simplifymanufacturing cycles, to reduce reserves and to simplify inventorymanagement, and is immediately recognizable and usable by end users, whono longer need to purchase a different head model for each nozzle modelthey use.

[0049] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerousmodifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of theappended claims.

[0050] All the details may further be replaced with other technicallyequivalent ones.

[0051] In practice, the materials used, as well as the shapes and thedimensions, may be any according to requirements without therebyabandoning the protective scope of the appended claims.

[0052] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. MO2001A000106from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein byreference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A universal head for fixing a nozzle to a fluiddistribution duct, comprising: a cap-like sleeve shaped so as to beconnectable with an outlet of the fluid distribution duct; a nozzleinsertion slot formed at a top part of said sleeve; and locking meansformed proximate to said slot for locking said nozzle in the slot, saidlocking means being radially expandable.
 2. The head of claim 1, whereinsaid locking means comprise at least one pair of substantiallylongitudinal and diametrically opposite elastic wings, arranged so as toallow insertion of said nozzle therebetween, said wings comprising eacha lower end which is rigidly coupled to said cap proximate to said slot,and a free upper end which is adapted to wrap around said nozzle forlocking thereof in said slot.
 3. The head of claim 2, wherein saidsleeve comprises an inner annular base, which is formed at a lower partof said slot, and to which the lower ends of the wings are rigidlycoupled.
 4. The head of claim 3, further comprising a play for allowingwing expansion, provided between said slot and said wings, the upperends of the wings protruding outside said slot.
 5. The head of claim 4,further comprising: a retention collar formed at the lower base of thenozzle; and an annular surface provided inside said sleeve for abutmentof said retention collar.
 6. The head of claim 5, wherein said annularabutment surface is formed below said annular base.